Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate from the Buckley School, a student must complete the following high school courses:
| English | 4 one year courses |
| Mathematics | 4 one year courses |
| Foreign Language | 3 one year courses |
| History | 4 one year courses |
| Science | 3 one year courses |
| Computer Science | 1 one year course |
| Arts | 1 one year courses |
| Health | 1 one trimester course |
| Total Credits | 19 5/6 |
Academic Requirements for Grades 9-12
All students must take English every semester. In Foreign Language, a student must successfully complete the third level of one language or the second level of two languages. In History, a student must successfully complete four years of study, including a year of United States History and advanced History IV. In Mathematics, a student must successfully complete at least one year of study beyond Algebra II/Trigonometry. In Science, a student must complete three years of laboratory courses: Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
In order to graduate from The Buckley School, each student must take at least one course in Computer Science. Advanced courses in computer science are available to qualified students, including an Advanced Placement class in Java Programming.
Each student must complete a minimum of four semesters in the Visual Arts.
The Buckley School requires that all courses required for graduation must be taken at Buckley. Courses taken at other schools will be noted on the student’s transcript but not given credit towards Buckley graduation requirements.
All students in the Middle and Upper School must take at least five academic courses each semester, with the following exceptions:
- Any junior or senior carrying three Advanced Placement classes may take only four solids.
- Any student who has successfully completed a full-year academic course at The Buckley School Summer School may take four classes the following year.
- Two arts courses taken concurrently qualify as an academic solid.
These are the minimum requirements for graduation from The Buckley School; most students will elect to take more courses in one discipline or another. See the Course Catalogue for details.
Physical Education Requirement
Eleven courses in physical education, dance, health or participation on Buckley athletic teams are required for all students in grades nine through twelve for graduation. The eleven courses may be accumulated in any combination of physical education, dance, or athletics during the trimester seasons. Participation on the equestrian team fulfills one trimester of P.E. credit per school year. Students must be enrolled in physical education, dance, or athletics every season until graduation requirements have been met. Students may also manage a team for credit. A student can apply only two managing credits toward their required eleven credits, but can manage only one team a year.
Service Requirements
Service is an integral component of our educational program. All Buckley students are expected to participate in class and/or individual service projects in order to give back to their community. In order to facilitate this process, the Buckley service program is divided into three major areas: school service, environmental service, and community service.
Promotion Requirements
As a rule, a minimum grade point average of 2.00 (C) is required of all students who wish to be promoted to the next grade. Any student with a semester grade below C- in a given subject may be required by the respective department to take the course again in summer school. Summer school credits from another school may not be applied to Buckley School graduation requirements.
It is important to understand that although a grade of "D" is barely passing at our school, some colleges and universities give no credit for this mark. Any "D" or "F" grades earned in courses required for admission to the University of California or the California State University must be repeated or validated to satisfy minimum eligibility requirements for freshman. Students will need to consult with their academic dean if they are in this situation.
Any senior with a grade of "F" in a course will not receive a Buckley diploma until the grade is improved in summer school.
